LUKE PETROS MAKES ANOTHER BIG STATEMENT

Blessing Malinganiza

Zimpapers Sports Hub

LUKE Petros is a coach who doesn’t make a lot of noise but, more often than not, he delivers.

While questionable coaches continue to get jobs in the domestic Premiership, Petros continues to build an impressive personal profile.

His latest success story was written on Sunday when he guided Division One side Blanket Mine to victory over TelOne in the Munhumutapa Cup.

“I think the guys did their homework very well,” he said.

“They applied what we worked on in training and understood the strengths of the team we were playing against, and that paid dividends for us.

“We knew we were playing against a team that competes in the top-flight, a level above us.

“Our approach was, therefore, to try to absorb their pressure while also assessing our own chances and potential in terms of how competitive we can be.

“Overall, I am very happy for the boys. They worked hard and showed that they can compete at this level.” Petros also acknowledged the role played by the club’s leadership.

“We are also drawing a lot of inspiration from the management and the support we are receiving within the province.

“That support has sustained us and given us the drive to reach where we are at the moment.”

The tournament has lived up to the unpredictability of knockout football.

Dynamos, Highlanders and TelOne are among the major casualties of a dramatic Round of 32.

Lower-division sides have provided the biggest shocks, with Hwange stunning Dynamos 1-0, Blackrock eliminating Highlanders 5-3 on penalties, after a goalless draw, while Blanket Mine sent TelOne packing 4-3 in a shoot-out following a 1-1 stalemate. Chicken Inn and Simba Bhora also bowed out, although at the hands of fellow Premier Soccer League sides Ngezi Platinum Stars and Manica Diamonds.

Dynamos’ elimination was arguably the biggest upset even though they have traditionally found it difficult to win in Hwange.

Morestuff Ncube scored the priceless goal in the first half. Highlanders soon followed their biggest rivals out of the competition after Blackrock frustrated them over 90 minutes before completing the job from the penalty spot.

The two results saw Zimbabwe’s traditional giants eliminated at the first hurdle by lower-league opposition.

Ngezi Platinum Stars edged Chicken Inn 5-4 on penalties after a goalless draw while Manica Diamonds beat Simba Bhora 6-5 in the shootout, following a 1-1 stalemate.

CAPS United avoided the upset wave in emphatic fashion, thrashing Scottland Academy 6-0, while FC Platinum edged Northern Region side Marere 1-0. Hardrock, Herentals and Bulawayo Chiefs also progressed with 1-0 victories, while Triangle United dispatched ZPC Kariba 3-0.

The early upsets have vindicated the nationwide structure of a competition launched by ZIFA in March and backed by a five-year, US$25 million package.

Fourteen lower-division qualifiers joined the country’s 18 PSL clubs in the men’s Round of 32, creating rare competitive meetings between teams from different levels of Zimbabwean football.

The tournament also carries a major incentive, with the men’s champions expected to secure Zimbabwe’s ticket to the CAF Confederation Cup.